DOHA — The Intellectual Property Rights Protection Department of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (the Department) has implemented several changes to its patent practice.
PAYMENT OF ANNUITIES
Last month, the Department announced that applicants can choose not to pay the annuity fees after the third year (from the date of filing or from the international filing date if the application is a PCT-national phase application) if the patent application is still pending. Once the Patent Office issues a grant decision, the applicant must pay all overdue annuities along with the grant fees, while the remaining subsequent annuities can be paid on their respective due dates.
The new announcement confirms that the Department will not accept further annuity payments after the third year if the application is still under consideration.
PATENT FEES
The Department has announced the implementation of Ministerial Decision No. 60 for 2024, which reduces the official fees for certain services provided by the Ministry. The reduction affects services related to businesses and intellectual property rights, including patents and industrial designs.
The new rates went into force on 11 July 2024.
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